California - Day 2 (Viansa and Schug Wineries)

The plan for today was a nice leisurely stroll around San Francisco, near Ghirardelli Square, then drive to our hotel in Sonoma (The Lodge at Sonoma), settle in, and head to the Napa Wine Train.  You know the saying "the best laid plans" ...  

Dave and I did have a nice leisurely stroll near Ghirardelli Square and started on the drive to our hotel.  So far so good.  But at the first sign of a winery we turned in.  First stop was Viansa, a winery we never heard of and a beautiful property. The tasting was four wines (each) of our choosing for $5 (each).  These wines are only available at the winery.

     Viansa's 2009 Reserve Pinot Grigio was the first wine we tasted.  It had a light citrus aroma and flavor with a hint of vanilla.  
     Winemaker's Notes:  Viansa's 2009 Reserve Pinot Grigio is blended with 10% Chardonnay to create an elegant reserve white. Minimal barrel exposure resulted in a complex, well rounded white wine that has aromas of citrus, pear spice and sweet vanilla and flavors of apple, lemon and guava.

     Second was their 2008 Primitivo.   A wonderful aroma of dark berry with a flavor of chocolate, dark fruit, and spice.  Balanced tannins.  My favorite. 
     Winemaker's Notes:  (Not available)

     Third 2006 Ossidiana.  A Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.  An aroma and flavor of coffee and more tannins than I enjoy.  Not bad, but not my style. 
     Winemaker's Notes:  Our 2006 Ossidiana is a blend of Cabernet Sauvingon (48%), Cabernet Franc (37%) & Merlot (15%). Aged in French oak, this wine is very seductive with aromas of coffee, vanilla and violets followed by flavors of ripe blackberry and blueberry that are deep and concentrated. The firm but ripe tannins carry on through the long elegant finish. Viansa’s goal was to blend traditional French aging techniques with the bright aromas and flavors of California fruit in order to create an elegant, powerful and memorable wine. Enjoy this wine now or cellar up to 2015.

     Lastly I tasted their Tocai Friulano.  A sweet and fruity aroma with a flavor of apricot and melon (I'm guessing it must be tangerine zest and leeche nut in the Winemaker's Notes below).  It was not syrupy, but it had a  mouthfeel of watered down syrup.  This was okay, but not for me.
     Winemaker's Notes:  Our 2009 Tocai Friulano is made with 100% Tocai. This lightly sweet white is rich and well balanced with delicious flavors of citrus, tangerine zest, leeche nut and tropical fruit. Serve this wine with brie, ripe figs or strawberries with mascarpone.

Now back in the car and off to The Lodge.  But wait ... a winery, another winery, and another.  I had to stop.  Next stop ... Schug Carneros Estate.   Here we tasted six wines and the tasting fee was $5.  (They also  have a reserve tasting for $10.)

     Schug 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Coast.  A wonderful light citrus aroma and flavor, with some grassiness; well balanced.  A great change from the fruit forward New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.  I purchased a couple bottles for myself and one for a gift.  
    Winemaker's Notes:  This well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from cooler vineyards in the southern end of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The Hi-Vista vineyard in western Carneros and the Grossi vineyard north of Petaluma contribute spice and bright tangy acidity. The Leveroni vineyard south of Sonoma contributes the unique floral character of the Sauvignon “musque” clone, with lush fruit flavors reminiscent of melon, honeysuckle and grapefruit. These flavors are enhanced by the creamy richness of fermentation and aging on the yeast in older (neutral) casks. It finishes with a lively acidity that makes it an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of soups, salads and shellfish dishes.

     2009 Schug Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast.  Stainless steel fermented.  A hint of lemon flavor.  Not bad, but I am not partial to stainless steel fermented Charonnay as the flavor is lacking.  
     Winemaker's Notes:  The cool Carneros microclimate contributes a spicy bouquet, citrus and tropical fruit flavors and good acidity for depth and balance. The blend is rounded out by elegant, buttery textures and ripe flavors of pear and peach which comes from Chardonnay grown in the warmer reaches of Sonoma Valley. Try it as an elegant aperitif paired with hors d'oeuvres, or lighter dishes such as soups, salads, seafood and pasta.

     2009 Schug Chardonnay, Carneros.  Oak aged with a lot more aroma and flavor than the Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.  This was my preference of the two Chards.  
     Winemaker's Notes:  The cool Carneros microclimate contributes a spicy bouquet, citrus and tropical fruit flavors and good acidity for depth and balance. The blend is rounded out by elegant, buttery textures and ripe flavors of pear and peach which comes from Chardonnay grown in the warmer reaches of Sonoma Valley. Try it as an elegant aperitif paired with hors d'oeuvres, or lighter dishes such as soups, salads, seafood and pasta

     2008 Schug Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, stainless steel fermented with toasted oak chips added at the end.  The aroma had me thinking barbecue. The flavor a typical Pinot Noir of cherry and earthy notes. Enjoyable.  
     Winemaker's Notes:  Bright ruby color with aromas of cherry skin, dried cranberries smoky undertones. The palate shows more cherry and dried fruit flavors with earthy notes. Clean with a nice solid backbone completed by a racy acidity. Lots of cranberry flavors hint of strawberry. Balanced, tight, lean fruit, an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl or barbecued meats.

     2008 Schug Pinot Noir, Carneros, oak aged. This had a wonderful aroma and flavor; cherry, spice and oak. I preferred this over the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 
     Winemaker's Notes:   A complex wine with a rich bouquet full of cherries, berries and hint of spicy new oak. Flavors of bright cherry, currant and strawberry are followed by a spicy, smooth texture and elegant finish. This wine will pair nicely with lamb, duck, and even grilled fish and will improve with additional cellaring.

     Lastly, 2007 Merlot, Sonoma Valley.  A little more tannic than I enjoy and because of this not much fruit came through on my palate.  This was not for me.
     Winemaker's Notes:   Merlot is blended in the Bordeaux style, adding Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for depth and complexity. It has a spicy bouquet, deep color and exhibits full-bodied flavors of cherry, blackberry and spice. Try it now with grilled fish, pasta, lamb and steaks, or cellar it for 5 to 7 years.

So, back in the car and off we go.  Destination - The Lodge at Sonoma.  Did we get there?  You'll have to read tomorrow to find out.  Here's a hint: Maybe.

California - Day 1

Left the kids and dog at home and flew to California yesterday.  I am armed with my internet research on various wineries and coupons, and I have wine country brochures from the airport and hotel. My GPS is packed and OpenTable and Yelp are on my cell  phone.  Lots of options and plenty of flexibility.  Dave (my husband) and I are ready to navigate wine country!  

Our first stop on the way to wine country was San Francisco.  We spent the night there and went to dinner on Fisherman's Wharf.  I had two enjoyable wines and delicious food at The Franciscan Crab Restaurant.  We had a window table overlooking the Bay, Angels Island and Alcatraz.  Watching boats sail.  Relaxing!

The first wine I tasted was Ruggeri Gold Prosecco (NV) from Italy.  Not as dry as the Prosecco I typically enjoy, this was a nice refreshing change with bubbles that dance on  your tongue.  A light fruity aroma with a light fruit flavor.  It paired perfectly with my salad of smoked salmon, rocket arugula, red onion, capers, and avocado with a blue cheese vinaigrette.  When I tasted the Prosecco and my meal together it was "OMG" heavenly and delicious.

Winemaker's Notes:  Gold Label’s crystal clarity is laced with a persistent perlage of minute bubbles. The bouquet, although vibrant and intensely fruity, is extremely delicate bringing readily to mind mature golden apples and acacia flowers. It is gently sweet and fresh on the palate and pleasantly light in alcohol. This prosecco can be enjoyed equally well before dinner as an aperitif or as an enhancement to the end of a meal.

The second wine I tasted was Honig 2010 Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley.  I differ quite a bit from the Winemaker's Notes below.  This was not a fruit forward wine and was missing the grapefruit citrus flavor profile.  It was very light with a mineral aroma and flavor with a hint of fruit.  I must say enjoyable and paired nicely with my appetizer of Prosciutto and Burrata.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Aromas of orange blossom and grapefruit are accompanied by lemon, melon, peach, and nectarine flavors that are ripe, juicy and refreshing. Medium bodied, with a crisp, refreshing, slightly minerally finish.

Cupcake Pinot Noir and Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay

The review for Friday's tasting will be short and sweet as the tasting was for two wines I've previously reviewed.   Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, 2009 and Cupcake Pinot Noir.  You can't go wrong with either one.

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay was still considered a reliable Chardonnay.  When you don't know what to purchase, this seems to be the customer's "go to" wine.   

Cupcake Pinot Noir  was again well received by customers and sold very well.

Austrian Pepper Gruner Veltliner, 2009

I recently purchased Austrian Pepper 2009 Gruner Vetliner ($11 at Costco) from the Niederösterreich region of Austria (this is around Vienna and is Austria's largest wine-growing area. It is the true homeland of the Grüner Veltliner grape.)  An enjoyable wine with a light lemon aroma.  The flavor was also light lemon with a spice finish.  Nice acidity and balanced. 

Winemaker's Notes:  Bright green-yellow, some hints of citrus and herbs on the nose, lively and compact on the palate, quite fruity with a full pinch of black pepper and a vivid, spicy finish. A truly optimal food companion. Suitable for a diverse range of dishes, it can be paired perfectly with everything from traditional American cuisine to Asian–Oriental foods.

The Show Malbec, 2009

The Show 2009 Malbec is from Mendoza, Argentina and produced by Three Thieves (later for this after my review of the wine).  When I first saw the label on the bottle I thought to myself, "this wine can't be very good", but boy was I ever wrong.  The Show is wonderful!  (On Three Thieves' website they say, "a bold label, for a bold wine".)  For once I find the Winemaker's Notes to be spot on (okay, I don't taste the violets - go figure).  A yummy (I know, not a wine term) black cherry, pepper, and spice flavor with smooth tannins and long velvety finish.  I recommend this Malbec to customers and I highly recommend it to  you.  

Winemaker's Notes:  The Show Malbec is a delicious wine with flavors of blackberry, cranberry, white pepper and spice, with toasty vanilla and violets. The wine has smooth tannins, a velvety texture and a long, lingering finish.  

Now for Three Thieves.  When I went to their website for a bottle shot and Winemaker's Notes I saw that Three Thieves is founded by three men one of whom is Joel Gott whose 815 Cabernet I reviewed only two days ago. The other two men are Roger Scommegna who founded realtor.com, and Charles Beiler who has a wine background from France. They search for high-end varietals (around the world) to produce top quality wine.  They produce The Bandit tetra packs and have a partnership with Newman's Own Wines.

As for the label, they partnered with Nashville’s Hatch Show Print for this.  The front and back labels (I now think) are pretty awesome.  

Joel Gott 815 Cabernet, Tait Ball Buster, and Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel

While having dinner with a good friend of mine (she's in the wine industry) we ordered a flight of three red wines.  Two were a quite tasty and one disappointing.  

Joel Gott 815 Cabernet is from California, and was a new wine for both of us.  Very good.  The aroma was a glorious chocolate and cherry.  The flavor was cherry, chocolate and spice.  Tannins were soft and the wine nicely balanced.  I could have sipped on this all night.  We both enjoyed it. 
 
Winemaker's Notes:  The 2008 Joel Gott 815 California Cabernet Sauvignon is ripe with blueberry, cherry soda, and dark cherry. The aromas burst with violet, vanilla, cedar, chocolate and cinnamon spice. Soft ripe tannins result in a balanced and long velvety finish. 

 Tait Winery is in The Barossa Valley, South Australia.  Ball Buster is their red blend (76% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 12% Merlot) .  I never tasted this wine before and my girlfriend said I had to try it; this is one of her favorites.  A delicious aroma and flavor of dark fruit and spice.  The wine was perfect.   

Winemaker's Notes:  Opaque purple-colored, it offers up a fragrant perfume of pencil led, licorice, spice box, blueberry and blackberry liqueur.  Layered, savory, and long on the palate, this well balance, pleasure-bent effor will drink well for another 4 - 6 years.

Lastly, Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel from California.  We both had this before, loved it, and wanted to taste it again.  I must say it was a disappointment for us.  The mouthfeel was thin and the flavor was lackluster. It was not that wonderful, full-body Zinfandel one expects when drinking an "old vine" Zinfandel.   

 Winemaker's Notes:  The 2009 Ancient Vines Zinfandel shows wonderful, fat strawberry, with coffee and chocolate characters. Aging in new and used wood has lent this wine a subtle vanilla quality that nicely complements the explosive fruit notes.

Saldo, 2009

As promised, here is my review for Orin Swift Cellars Saldo, 2009.  It has such a simple unassuming label.  But, the price is not unassuming; it cost $29.

Saldo, 2009 is a Zinfandel but is also blended with Syrah and Petite Sirah.  (In 2008 it was a blend of 88% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, and 4% Petite Sirah.)  This wine did not fall short of what I expected.  The color is a rich deep red.  An aroma of pepper and spice.  Flavors of dark fruit and spice, has very mild tannins and warms the back of my throat.  Try it and you won't be sorry.  I know I wasn't.

Winemaker's Note:  Not available for 2009, but 2008 notes are ... The 2008 Saldo is rich, ripe, and full-bodied, with aromas of black cherry and bramble fruit. The tannins are soft but the wine has a huge mid-palate. The soft, lush finish lingers. 2008 was a perfect vintage for Saldo. The hot weather was ideal for creating ripe zinfandel. Drink now and enjoy over the next five years.

I read the following on Orin Swift's website and thought I'd pass this on to  you.  "There are grapes from Sonoma, Napa, Amador, Mendocino, and Contra Costa counties. Some of these great vineyards include Monte Rosso, Eagle Point, Rockpile, Bismark, Beatty, Page Nord, Duarte, Solari, Evangehlo, Battuelo's, Tofanelli, Korte, Mable Tiedemann, Frediani, Lewers, Alta Vista, and Bald Mountain just to name a few. Dave (Phinney) is so committed to this concept he is now developing his own Zinfandel vineyard in Sonoma specifically for this project as well.

The word "saldo" has many different meanings in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. In Spanish, it mainly refers to "balance on hand", and sometimes it can mean "from here and there." This wine represents the best of the best lots made by Dave from vineyards all across Northern California."